Catalyst
Catacombs
By Anne McCaffrey and Elizabeth Ann Scarborough
Not being much into human writers, I was not familiar with science fiction and fantasy author Anne McCaffrey. But Ms. McCaffrey is certainly familiar with us cats, and our otherworldly natures. Now finally, towards the end of her very long career, she has penned a couple of sci-fi books with kitties as the central characters. Both Catalyst and Catacombs focus on the Barque Cats, highly prized kitties who are bred especially to work on spacecraft. Not only do they keep the ships free of vermin and provide companionship to the crew, they also locate oxygen leaks, hazardous gases, and perform duties where humans can’t fit. The first book, Catalyst, introduces us to Chessie, the regal Barque Cat who gives birth to Chester, the book’s protagonist feline, and whose story we follow into Catacombs. We also meet Pshaw-Ra, a non-Barque Cat whose questionable plans for world domination come to a head in Catacombs. The fates of these cats, and their feline friends and family, are wrapped up in intergalactic intrigue, both human and cat-created. In the first book, the very lives of all Barque Cats, and many other creatures, are threatened by a government-decreed “epidemic” that supposedly infects them. It is up to Chester, his human — a boy named Jubal — and the machinations of the mysterious Pshaw-Ra to save the Barque Cats from mass euthanization. But we find in Catacombs that Pshaw-Ra has ulterior motives, involving his home planet of Mau, and the battle between his two daughters for the kingdom’s throne.
Yes, you find a variety of humans in the book, and their characters are as well-drawn as the cats are, from the sweet Janina (aka Kibbles), Chessie’s Cat Person, to Jubal’s father, the scheming but often good-hearted Carlton Pontius, to minor characters such as the dastardly veterinary researcher and cat-hater, Dr. Wren. Although the Barque Cats appeared in a prior series written by McCaffrey (the “Tower and Hive” books), these books put them in a new setting and the story is built around them completely. It’s a very fun series, even if you are not into sci-fi, and I hope that Ms. McCaffrey and Ms. Scarborough do not end at just two!
See all of Summer’s merch at her Designercat Shop, available on Zazzle.
Loved the books!! I, too, hope she does not stop with 2. Loved The Dragon Rider series from MacCafferty and am interested in reading Scarborough’s books too.
Well, the Human sometimes like the sci-fi, though not too often. Still, the kittehs make it more attractive! Thanks for the good review.
Ohhhh books. Mom reads books and I get to cuddle. She might like these,
She usually reads history books and non fiction stuff, biographies, but she could use some lighthearted bonkbonk reading. Thanks for the ideas
Have a fun week-end!
Thanks for the book review. My mom tends to listen to audiobooks because she is on the road so much, so she doesn’t read too much at home.
Thanks for the heads up about these books, Sparkle.
Sparkle
You wrote a fantastic review!
Thank you!
purrin
xoxox
Those sound like fun! #1 has read books by Anne McCaffrey in the past!
Purrs,
The Chans
You did a great review, makes us want to read again!
Mommy put ’em on her want list!
They sound like really good books if I were to let TW actually sit for a minute and READ a book. heh heh
They sound very interesting. Thank you for the review Sparkle!
Hmm, I’ve never heard of this author before, but it’s worth putting on my list!
Thanks for the book Review! Mommy is a fan of Anne McCaffrey and she will see if she can get her paws, me means Hands on them!
Kisses
Nellie
The Woman has always enjoyed McCaffrey. She even got her autograph once but not on the cat books-
We’ll tell mum about these books – she was reading in bed nearly all last night – we wish she’d do it without the light on!!
luv Hannah and Lucy xx xx
Our Mom luffs her books! This sounds great.
Those sound like fun books. We’ll tell Mom.
The Florida Furkids and Angel Sniffie
Thanks for the good book review Sparkle. M’s not much for scifi books, but she said dat one looks pretty good.